Beaumont New Ammonia achieves first production milestone, preparing for 2026 commercial operations and boosting US ammonia exports.
The Beaumont New Ammonia (BNA) facility, situated in southeast Texas, has successfully produced its first batch of ammonia following the completion of comprehensive systems testing. This production marks a significant milestone in the initial phase of the facility’s commissioning and demonstrates its readiness for commercial operations. The handover of the facility from OCI Global (“OCI”) to Woodside Energy (“Woodside”) is scheduled for early 2026, after which full-scale commercial ammonia production is expected to commence. Specifically, production of lower-carbon ammonia is targeted to begin in the second half of 2026, reflecting Woodside’s commitment to supporting global decarbonisation efforts.
Global demand for lower-carbon ammonia is growing steadily, driven by customers in Europe and Asia seeking to enhance energy security while reducing carbon emissions. In response to this demand, Woodside has secured agreements with leading international customers to supply significant volumes of conventional ammonia from the BNA facility. Deliveries under these contracts are expected to begin in 2026 and continue through the end of the year, with terms aligned to prevailing market prices. Additional agreements are also in development to ensure alignment with the anticipated output of both conventional and lower-carbon ammonia, reinforcing BNA’s strategic position in global ammonia markets.
Kellyanne Lochan, Vice President of Beaumont New Ammonia at Woodside, highlighted the importance of this milestone, stating, “We are very pleased with the outcomes of the commissioning and systems testing completed so far. These results validate the facility’s readiness for production and demonstrate our capability to transition smoothly to commercial operations following handover. This achievement is a testament to the disciplined and collaborative efforts of both OCI and Woodside teams.”
In preparation for handover, BNA will continue with additional verification activities, performance testing, and operational readiness initiatives. Both OCI and Woodside remain dedicated to ensuring that the facility enters full operational status safely, efficiently, and in compliance with all regulatory and contractual obligations.
The BNA facility is designed with a production capacity of 1.1 million tonnes per annum and aims to meet the rising global demand for ammonia, lower-carbon ammonia, and hydrogen-adjacent products. Once fully operational, BNA has the potential to roughly double the United States’ ammonia exports, significantly contributing to regional economic development and reinforcing the country’s leadership in energy production and sustainable industrial practices. By supporting a transition toward lower-carbon products, BNA plays a crucial role in both domestic economic growth and international energy transition objectives.
